Prexies’ Wise makes All-State

By

Josh Wise

Advertisement

One day after three girls basketball players were named All-State by Pennsylvania sports writers, only Washington High School senior Josh Wise was selected on the boys side when the lists were released Wednesday afternoon.

Wise, the Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year, was a third team pick in Class AA.

“It’s something that I’m proud of,” Wise said. “I’m not satisfied; I didn’t make first team – but at the same time, I have to take time to be thankful for what I did get.”

Wise averaged 21.9 points per game this past season for Wash High, which finished 17-7 and won a WPIAL Class AA preliminary round playoff game, 76-32, over Jefferson-Morgan before a 61-50 loss to Burrell in the first round.

Wise shot 44 percent from the field, as he became more of a driving threat this season. He eclipsed 1,000 points for his career and finished with 1,300, third-most in school history.

Wise averaged 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.0 assists per game that finished second in Section 4-AA.

Though Wise was careful to not sound ungrateful, he did reiterate the idea of always pushing himself.

“Even if it was first team, I would have wanted Player of the Year,” Wise said. “I’m thankful for everything that I’ve gotten, God has given me a lot, but you always have to want more.”

On Tuesday, McGuffey’s Sammie Weiss was a second team choice in Class AA, Monessen’s Mariah Ward the same in Class A. Carmichaels’ Morgan Berardi was a third team pick in Class A.